...because sometimes that soy chai latte receipt from 2008 is all that's convenient

Monday, January 16, 2012

Review: Amplified by Tara Kelly

Published: Henry Holt & Co (October 25, 2011)Pages: 304Format: HardcoverSeries: NoSource:Ginger (thanks, lady!)GR Summary:When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . .

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

My Thoughts: This book's cover pretty much made the decision for me. The synopsis solidified my desperate need to devour this. A female rock goddess wannabe trying to make it? HELLO, PIPER PERABO IN COYOTE UGLY! (Sans the roof rockout, the bar dancing, and the sexy Australian...plus, Jasmine is way more awesome.)

After the first few pages, I wasn't sure what to expect. Amplified kickstarted with some parental angst and Jasmine heading off on her own. I'm so glad she does. Her dad's high-strung and there is NO room for that in a book with fishnets on the cover. Without her departure, we wouldn't be introduced to some of the most vibrant secondary characters in recent memory.

Guys, if it's anything like Tara Kelly depicted, being in a band is HARD. Know what's harder? Sexual tension with your kind-of-douche-bag, standoffish, but irresistible bass guitarist. There are onstage moments between Jasmine and Sean. MOMENTS, I say. And let's not even DISCUSS catty bitches, because they're everywhere. Fists were clenched. I loved the band dynamic, I felt so much of Jasmine's anxiety about the need to establish herself as well as be welcomed and accepted by C-Side.

I am begging all of you music fans who love a tasty little bit of tension (by "little," I mean &0&2@/0/!.!@2&!!!) to read Amplified. It's a quick read that you can easily devour in one sitting. Trust me, it'll be hard to put this bad boy aside.

12 comments:

This sounds so fun!! That you bring up Coyote Ugly makes me even more thrilled! I love the cover, but was hesitant to pick it up because I hadn't heard much. After your review? Definitely on my Wishlist!

He's a pretty complex character who was plagued by a hurtful past, so he definitely redeemed himself. Fictional bad boys, sure. Real life? Not so much. They rarely have redeeming qualities like those we find in books!! :)

Hmmm, I might have to pick this one up! Have you read Five Flavors of Dumb? It has some of the same elements - music, great female protagonist, and some adorable MOMENTS between the protagonist and the guy who's crushing on her :)